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ID #SA981619
FOR SALE
£1,595
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Mid 19th Century Campaign Camphor Metamorphic Lap Desk
Debenham Antiques Ltd
for sale €1,866     $2,026
£1,595
Debenham Antiques Ltd

Debenham Antiques Ltd

Sellingantiques Verified Since May 2012
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    We are a leading antique furniture dealer in the UK with over 60 years of experience.
  • Trade Associations
    Debenham Antiques Ltd is a registered member of LAPADA 
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Id #SA981619
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Mid 19th Century Campaign Camphor Metamorphic Lap Desk

19th century
Description

Rare and good quality chinese export camphor wood writing desk, circa 1860.

Brass bound around the outer edges and carrying handles to each side. These desk were made for sea captains and officers in the field, know as campaign furniture. Unused brass cartouche to the top surface with ebony stringing. By opening the front drawer this opens the tambour compartment, which further extends to reveal pigeon holes for documents. Later leather covered writing slope, folds back to reveal a compartment for storage and 3 secret drawers behind a concealed panel. Complete with original chinese brass hinges.

Lock missing to front drawer, expected surface marks and some wear to brassware, minor warping to fall.

Physical Dimensions
Height
26.5cm (10.43")
Width
53cm (20.87")
Depth
42cm (16.54")
Declaration

Debenham Antiques Ltd has dated this Camphorwood Campaign Lap Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA981619
Dealers Internal Reference
EA1859
Dealers Notes

We offer transport all around the world. Please ask for a quote which is almost instant.

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Description
Rare and good quality chinese export camphor wood writing desk, circa 1860.

Brass bound around the outer edges and carrying handles to each side. These desk were made for sea captains and officers in the field, know as campaign furniture. Unused brass cartouche to the top surface with ebony stringing.

“
By opening the front drawer this opens the tambour compartment, which further extends to reveal pigeon holes for documents.
Debenham Antiques Ltd

Later leather covered writing slope, folds back to reveal a compartment for storage and 3 secret drawers behind a concealed panel. Complete with original chinese brass hinges.

Lock missing to front drawer, expected surface marks and some wear to brassware, minor warping to fall.

Height
26.5cm (10.43")
Width
53cm (20.87")
Depth
42cm (16.54")
Date of Manufacture

Debenham Antiques Ltd has dated this Camphorwood Campaign Lap Desk to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA981619
Dealers Internal Ref
EA1859
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since May 2012

We are a leading antique furniture dealer in the UK with over 60 years of experience.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Debenham Antiques Ltd Profile Page

Trade Associations

Debenham Antiques Ltd is a registered member of LAPADA 

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A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles.
1 / 7
Archive I A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles.

Mid 19th Century Campaign Camphor Metamorphic Lap Desk

Archive II A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles. View II
Archive III A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles. View III
Archive IV A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles. View IV
Archive V A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles. View V
Archive VI A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles. View VI
Archive VII A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles. View VII
Enlarged Archival View
Debenham Antiques Ltd

Debenham Antiques Ltd
Telephone 07715 006 415
Location
73 High Street
Debenham
Suffolk
IP14 6QS
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/debenhamantiquesltd
Verified Since May 2012
Items For Sale 600
Items Sold 58
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Debenham Antiques Ltd
Verified Since May 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: 73 High Street, Debenham, Suffolk, IP14 6QS, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/debenhamantiquesltd
Verified
May 2012
For Sale
600
Sold
58
A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles.
MID 19TH CENTURY CAMPAIGN CAMPHOR METAMORPHIC LAP DESK
Ref: SA981619
A mid-nineteenth century camphorwood campaign lap desk featuring a curved tambour roll top, sloped front, and recessed brass handles.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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FAQs

A military campaign lap desk is a portable writing box designed during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries for military officers on deployment. These functional pieces incorporated recessed handles and brass corner reinforcement to withstand transport.

These desks were commonly crafted from durable timbers such as camphorwood, mahogany, or teak. Flush-fitting brass mounts, straps, and handles were integrated into the corners to protect against impact and environmental wear.

Authentic nineteenth-century examples feature flush-mortised brass hardware designed to ensure seamless packing. Look for natural oxidisation on brass elements, hand-cut dovetail jointing, and functional interior folding mechanisms.

Position a campaign lap desk on a console table, office desk, or deep window sill as a decorative accent. Its rich wood grain and brass details complement classic study spaces, libraries, and contemporary minimal interiors.

Condition timber surfaces periodically using a high-grade natural beeswax applied along the wood grain. Wipe down brass hardware with a soft microfibre cloth to prevent dust accumulation while retaining natural surface patina.
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